§ 13-1. Need for standards.

As local government becomes increasingly complex and as our democratic processes draw citizens from every walk of life, there is increasing need for standards of ethical conduct as a guide for public officers. These standards must rest primarily on personal integrity and on community vigilance; law cannot in itself create moral fiber, nor can law quicken the civic conscience. In support of these basic standards, it is the purpose of this chapter to define areas of conflicts of interest in Village transactions. This chapter has as its purpose the protection of the public from municipal contracts influenced by avaricious officers, and to protect public officers from unwarranted assaults on their integrity.